On Wednesday, cocoa farmers in the Oluwa forest reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, protested the alleged sale of their farmland by the state government to a private company owned by public office holders.
Gathering in Akure, the state capital, the farmers revealed that they have been cultivating various crops, including over two million cocoa trees, on the land for more than 30 years. They have been paying dues to state agencies for the use of the government reserve.
The leader of the protesters, Abayomi Rotimi, highlighted the severe hunger affecting residents and called on the state government to reconsider its decision, which impacts the livelihoods of over 10,000 farmers. Rotimi accused the company of uprooting their crops with earthmoving equipment.
"We are cocoa farmers, tenants of the Ondo State Government, who are now suing in Suit NO. HOR//2024 – Irewole Muse and Others VS Ondo State Government and Others, over the sale of our rented farmlands to ACME Palms Limited," Rotimi stated.
The farmers' lawyer, Tope Temokun, argued that while the government can grant permissions for logging or farming, selling forest reserve land to private investors compromises public interest. Temokun pointed out potential conflicts of interest, noting that ACME Palms Limited, which purchased the land, includes shareholders connected to public office holders.
The protesters have approached the court seeking declarations that the sale and issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy are illegal, null, and void. They also demand orders to nullify the certificate and prevent the company from further actions on the land.
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